Information for patients

Welcome

This service provides dermatologist advice using a store-and-forward system. That means your GP can securely send us information and photos of your skin condition for review by a dermatologist.  You don’t need to attend in person.

How DermaLink works

  1. Referral – Your GP will send us a referral, including photographs of your skin condition.

  2. Triage (check of referral) – We review the referral to make sure your condition is suitable for a virtual DermaLink consultation. If not, we will let your referring doctor know.

  3. Consent & Payment – If suitable, we will contact you with our Terms of Service, privacy information, and consent form. You will be asked to confirm your consent and agree to costs before the consultation can proceed. Consent may be withdrawn at any time.

  4. Specialist Review – the Specialist reviews your referral and photographs. A written report is prepared for your GP/referring doctor and shared with you via your provided email address.

  5. Next Steps – If your condition can be managed by your GP, treatment advice will be included in the report. You may need to see your GP for the recommended tests and prescriptions. If you need to see a dermatologist in person, we will recommend this and provide links to the New Zealand Dermatological Society (NZDSI) directory of specialists.

What DermaLink can and cannot do

✔ Can provide timely expert advice on many common skin conditions
✔ Can support your GP to start treatment quickly
✔ Can save travel time, especially if you live in an area with a shortage of Dermatologists
✔ Can provide Specialist advice with reduced costs compared with in-person appointments

✘ Cannot replace an in-person examination
✘ Cannot provide emergency care
✘ Currently we do not accept referrals for children under 16 years
✘ Currently we do not provide advice for the diagnosis of lesions suspicious for skin cancer, our focus is on medical dermatology - diagnosis and advice for inflammatory, infective, genetic and immune-mediated skin conditions and rashes

If you have an urgent or life-threatening concern, call 111 or visit your nearest emergency department.

Cost

Once payment is received we create a report for you and your doctor.

Your Rights and Privacy

Your information is protected under the Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code.

We follow the Medical Council of New Zealand and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians telemedicine guidance.

You have the right to access your records, request corrections, or make a privacy complaint at any time.

For more details, please read our Privacy Policy.